Michael > Recent Status Updates

"While some of my skeptical friends may still reject the claims of Christianity, I hope I can at least help them recognize that successful, large-scale conspiracies are rare and that the notion of a "Christian conspiracy" is simply unreasonable." [116]

"But I did live in Washington for a time and learned that lack of knowledge about a subject is no impediment to talking about it." - Neil Armstrong - 604

Armstrong's celebrity led to an uproarious moment when, in the midst of photographing the Taft board of directors, the cameraman got behind the camera and said, "Mr. Armstrong, would you take one small step forward?". -p.597

"That should impress everyone. The atmosphere of the Earth is a small and valuable resource. We're going to have to learn how to conserve it and use it wisely. Down here in the crowd you are aware of the atmosphere and it seems adequate, so you don't worry about it too much. But from a different vantage point. perhaps it is possible to understand more easily why we should be worrying." - Neil Armstrong

"Hopefully the trips we will be making in the next couple of decades will open up our eyes a little. When you are looking at the Earth from the lunar distance, its atmosphere is just unobservable. The atmosphere is so thin, and such a minute part of the Earth, that it can't be sensed at all." - Astronaut Neil Armstrong, First Man by James R. Hansen, p.565.

"He had the impression he was hanging from the sky, not rising from the earth. Very slowly, he turned a full circle, taking in the nothingness of it all. It seemed his lungs could never be large enough [33] to breathe in this much air, his eyes could never see this much space, nor could he hear the full extent of the rolling, roaring ocean. For the briefest moment, he had no edges." {pp.32-33]

Note 2: The author has decided to name the super carrier in this novel the USS Hillary Clinton. Copyright date is 2004. Not sure why the United States Navy would ever name a super carrier after a failed Secretary of State. They are usually named after presidents which Hillary as president is a bullet we have so far dodged. So as not to throw up in my mouth a bit as I read; I will use the name USS Abraham Lincoln.

I am only in the first few pages of this book so I am still in the midst of the set-up of characters and plots. I have a couple of early observations. This read is similar to the book and movie entitled Final Countdown so will see how it varies and differs. It is a series so I am certain it will have many differences although the premise is the same.

[95] "...what's happened before and what may happen later can't be as important as what's happening now. There's never a better time to celebrate the present. The present belongs to you."

[89] "Because Parkinson's demanded of me that I be a better man, a better husband, father, and citizen, I often refer to it as a gift. With a nod to those who find this hard to believe, especially my fellow patients who are facing great difficulties, I add this qualifier-it's the gift that keeps on taking...but it is a gift."

[88-89] "Don't spend a lot of time imagining the worst-case scenario. It rarely goes down as you imagine it will, and if by some fluke it does, you will have lived it twice. When things do go bad, don't run, don't hide. Stick it out, & be scrupulous in facing every part of your fear. Try to be still. It will take time, but you'll find that even the gravest problems are finite-& that your choices are infinite."

[80-81] "It may seem hard to believe, but it's catastrophe that offers the most promise for an even richer life. This is the gateway to the good stuff. In other words, you never truly know which way the wind is blowing until the **** hits the fan. And further, if you don't mind getting a little dirty, that breeze will carry you a long way."

[80] The reality is that things change; the question is, how will I perceive that change, and am I willing to change along with it?

[58] "Just as you can't change the essential nature of a place, don't count on the place to change the essential nature of you."

[7] "I've never let my schooling interfere with my education." - MARK TWAIN

[1] "Life is a ride. Strap in, hang on, and keep your eyes open."

Chapter 10

[102]Tree-ear kicked a small stone at his feet. Why was it that pride and foolishness were so often close companions?

[137] “You don’t believe in God, but you can’t make it through a day without going to church. You’re an odd duck, Arthur Prescott.”